Source: Flickr CC US Department of State Office of Science and Technology

With a vibrant mix of cultures and a reputation as a culinary paradise, Medan, Indonesia is a must-see destination for many travelers in Southeast Asia. On the streets, residents of Indonesia’s fourth largest city mingle with tourists on their way to visit the diverse markets, malls, and local attractions. Like many major cities, congestion has become an increasingly acute problem in Medan. Although the issue has yet to dampen the spirit of locals and visitors, in improving transit, ITDP sees the opportunity to unlock Medan’s full economic and cultural potential. With support from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), ITDP Indonesia began an initiative to investigate the state of transport in the city and prepare recommendations for improvement. ITDP’s proposals, centered around improving non-motorized transport, will help guide this booming Southeast Asian city away from a car-dependant model and toward a pedestrian friendly city with accessible streets for all.

Located on the island of Sumatra (West Indonesia), Medan’s distinctive character is shaped by the region’s natural beauty, ethnic diversity, and rich history. A unique blend of cultures, with strong Malay, Indian, Batak, Chinese and Javenese communities, add their religious, ethnic, and culinary traditions to create a city well-known for its rich arts and customs. Tourists come to Medan to explore the mix of foods, from durian pancakes and dim sum to noodle dishes and pork ribs, and many continue on to explore the offerings of Sumatra Island. With all the traffic, transit in Medan is defined by a reliance on personal vehicles, taxis and riskshaws. Sidewalks and pedestrian pathways are poorly kept or non-existent, and mass transit options fail to meet the city’s needs.

With adequate pedestrian pathways, connections between downtown attractions would be more accessible. Within a 5, 10 or 15 minute walk from the popular Merdeka Walk, pedestrian could reach:

The central train station, with connections throughout the city, including the international airport

Center Point, the largest upscale shopping mall in Medan

The central market area, with traditional markets, modern markets, and diverse food vendors

Perniagaan Street and Pemuda Street, the centers of commerce and business

Historical centers on A. Yani Street and the Kesawan area

The Deli River, with shopping and natural areas along the banks.

ITDP Indonesia recently concluded a study of the existing transit patterns in Medan and began discussing with city leaders possible solutions and projects for improvements. ITDP found that many of Medan’s most popular destinations are within walking distance from each other, but poor pedestrian connections lead most people to use personal vehicles, angkot minibuses, or bentor rickshaws. The addition of stronger pedestrian pathways would be an impactful, practical initial step to improving traffic in Medan.

Merdeka Walk, one of the city’s most exciting centers for food, performance art, political rallies, community activities, illustrates the issues with Medan’s pedestrian network. ITDP Indonesia mapped how far pedestrians could walk within 15 minutes from the market. While there are many other attractions in the area, there are few pedestrian pathways between them, limiting the safety and comfort of people moving between destinations. Upgrading pedestrian access by provide a continuous network of paths would increase commerce in the area and help reduce reliance on vehicles.

With a clear vision of the problems Medan faces, ITDP Indonesia is developing solutions. Local officials and ITDP staff have met to begin drawing up plans to reduce the city’s dependance on cars and build the foundation of a strong pedestrian network. Representatives from the local transport authority were enthusiastic about increasing pedestrian permiability throughout Medan, such as building connections between key local attractions. Many of the city’s existing plans for development allow space to incorporate the recommendations from ITDP’s study, offering ample opportunity to work together. Feasible solutions, including adding new sidewalks and improving pavement quality, signal that next steps are sure to come soon.

Medan is faced with the growing problems of congestion and poor air quality, the city’s reliance on cars threatens to create a cloud over this vibrant city. With a clear picture of the problem and a strong vision for a better pedestrian network, ITDP and the local government are working together to invest in building a safe, accessible streets, and create a better city of Medan for travelers and residents alike.

A rendering shows plans to redesign streets to improve NMT access to public transit in low income neighborhoods. Source: ITDP Indonesia

Ten years after the system first launched, TransJakarta continues to expand and improve its services for all of Jakarta’s citizens. Through new routes to high-income areas and plans for increased accessibility in low-income areas, TransJakarta aims to maximize the benefits of BRT by creating a system that meets the diverse needs of city residents.

Joko Widodo, the Governor of Jakarta, recently announced the opening of 20 new bus routes for TransJakarta, with a focus on routes that will reduce the number of cars on the city’s streets. The buses will connect some of the city’s older, more elite housing complexes with the BRT corridor, allowing Jakarta’s wealthier residents to easily access the full extent of the system’s network. The Governor was hopeful that this strategy would persuade middle-to-upper class workers to switch to public transportation, saying, “The buses are convenient. We expect residents to switch from private cars to TransJakarta buses.” Two of the new routes have already begun operation, with the goal of 20 routes focused on vehicle-reduction opening in the near future.

Encouraging wealthier residents to use BRT is an important part of reducing both congestion and emissions. For higher-income riders, BRT provides a comfortable, accessible, efficient system that save time and effort. The TransJakarta buses will reach higher-income residents near their homes, then enter the dedicated bus lanes to cut through Jakarta’s busy streets. This maximizes the benefits of the system by making it easier to commute and more attractive to reduce the use of a personal vehicle.

Image 2: ITDP is working to improve access to public transit in low income neighborhoods Kampung Bali and Kebon Kacang. Source: ITDP Indonesia

At the same time, ITDP is helping TransJakarta reach out to lower-income residents. A new project exploring non-motorized transit (NMT) around TransJakarta stations will look at accessibility in low-income neighborhoods and recommend ways to improve the system’s reach in these areas. Currently, pedestrian and NMT access to stations in many neighborhoods is lacking, due to insufficient sidewalks or pedestrian pathways.

For example, ITDP Indonesia is looking at the low-income areas of Kampung Bali and Kebon Kacang in central Jakarta (Image 2, left). Although there are three BRT stations nearby along the busy Thamrin Street, the low-income housing is largely blocked off from those stations by luxury shopping malls, office towers and South Asia’s largest textile market (Tanah Abang). Insufficient pedestrian pathways force area residents to dangerously walk in the streets alongside cars and motorbikes, or take their own motorbike or paratransit taxi to public transit. ITDP Indonesia is developing plans (see rendering, above) for high-quality sidewalks, bike lanes, and improved signage to reduce the barriers low-income residents face in safely reaching public transit. The project, supported by the Ford Foundation, will continue in Jakarta, as well as many other ITDP cities, to link the city’s low-income areas to high-quality transit.

For lower- and middle-income users of public transit, BRT offers a low-cost, efficient way to increase mobility around the city. Reduced travel times can increase job opportunities, lower time spent in traffic, and have a significant impact on quality of life. By addressing the barriers low-income residents face in using public transit, such as accessibility and safety, the benefits of BRT can be realized by those for whom it can do the most good.

With 12 lines and 134 kilometers of dedicated lanes, TransJakarta is well poised to bring BRT’s benefits to riders from all backgrounds. Transjakarta is the backbone of public transportation in Jakarta, and system operators, as well as ITDP, are working to extend its reach to all city residents. Under the system’s new management by BUMD, the changes and improvements to routes and accessibility will be streamlined. ITDP continues to support TransJakarta as it improves its services for all of Jakarta’s residents.

Estación Constitución and its adjacent plaza in Buenos Aires host more than a million pedestrians a day. As the city’s busiest transportation hub, the station connects 34 bus lines, 7 commuter trains and the Subte Metro, Line C. Along with Estación Retiro, another major transportation hub, Estación Constitución recently underwent a series of renovations to make the 2 stations and their surrounding areas safer and more accessible for pedestrians and non-motorized transit.

The project, completed over 8 months, has incorporated improvements to several modes of sustainable transportation, including sidewalks, bikes, and buses. Most prominently, several intersections around both Estación Constitución and Estación Retiro received pedestrian safety upgrades, such as clearer crosswalks, expanded pedestrian islands, and better signage. Planners hope this will reduce the frequency of accidents at these busy intersections, which injured 96 people and killed 3 over a 2 year period. Additional components of the project include installing more bike parking, planting trees and bushes, and redesigning several roadside bus stations for increased accessibility. Taken together, these improvements will prioritize people and reinvigorate street life in the areas.

At the intersection of Av. Brazil and Av. Hornos, the pedestrian island was extended to improve safety.

The project was influenced by a workshop on pedestrian safety in Buenos Aires, run by ITDP in May 2012 along with the World Bank, Nelson Nygaard and local city officials. After evaluating several key intersections around Estación Constitution, ITDP staff discussed urban design and transportation policy, helping to define and guide the project. The group identified concerns, ranging from a lack of signals and signage to complex traffic patterns, and recommended many of the crosswalks, pedestrian islands, and sidewalk improvements that the city ultimately included in the recently executed plan.

Holistic projects such as this one, which address pedestrian issues, incorporate non-motorized transit, and improve public transportation, reinforce a growing culture of sustainable transportation in Buenos Aires. By strengthening the city’s livability and expanding transit options, Buenos Aires continues to make the city a better place for its citizens.

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